Game apparatus



L. B. ELLIOTT GAME APPARATUS Feb. 11, 1930.

Filed' July 16, 1928 2 Sheets-sneer 1 SQA Sm @zu am on L. B. ELLIOTT GAME APPARATUS l Feb. 11, 1930.

Filed July 16, 1928 sheets-sheet 2 @n wm Patented Feb. 11, 1930 VlJNlraD STATES ArtNr OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Application filed .Tuly 16,

This invention relates to an improved football game apparatus, and has for its principal object the provision of means in which the elements of chance and skill are combined in such a manner that while the chances of one side or the other winning may remain undetermined until the last moment, yet the more skillful player has a slight advantage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus which is lined to simulate a football field, on the side of which is positioned a movable member adapted to be manipulated in turn by the players of the game to indicate the progress of a football team over the playing surface of the field.v

A further object of the invention is to provide a game of thev character described which is simple in construction, easy to play, economical to manufacture,vhighly entertaining, and a game in which interest may be provided for those who-are interested in this class of athletic games.

A still further object is to provide a game Vboard having a number of lines of different length and color, whereby the advancing or the retarding of the respective teams may be clearly and quickly determined.

A still further object is to provide in conjunction with a football game, a novel type of counting device which co-operates with the special markings on the field so as to facilitate the counting off accurately and rapidly the distance gained in an offensive or defensive movement.

Y Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Aand in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is. atop plan view of the game con structed in accordance with my invention, 45 y Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section of 192s. serial No. 293,258.

the game board, with the counting device being shown in elevation,

Figure 3 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale of a portion of the game board, and its co-operating counting element,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the line marker, forming part of my invention,

Figure' 5l is a similar fragmentary view of a portion of the block that supports the counting element, forming part of my device, and

Figures 6, 7 8, and 9 are perspective views of two pairs of the counting dice that are used in conjunction with my football game board,

Figures 8 and 9 being perspective views of the remaining faces of the dice shown in Figl ures 6 and 7 respectively. l

I am aware that football game apparatus of various natures have been previously patented, but none that I have studied discloses the unique arrangement of employing a novel type of counting device, that co-operating with the special markings on the field facilitates the counting off accurately and rapidly vthe distance gained in a defensive or oEensive movement.

In Figure 1 there is represented aboard 8 which is marked and ruled to simulate a football field, the goals being at the ends of the board, and designated by the numerals 9 and 10, the eld intermediate the goals being ruled with parallel cross lines to indicate the one hundred yards between goals. The reference character G designates the goal line which at each end of the field is placed ten yards from the line wherein the goal posts 9 and 10 rest. The several lines are successively numbered beginning at each goal from 1 to 50, the latter beiig the center line, equally distant from the Goa s.

b Securedto the game board 8 and extending longitudinally thereof is a base 12 which has provided therein spaced parallel grooves 13 and 14. As shown to advantage in Figures 2 and 5, the upper surface of the base is inclined, while the lower surface is in parallel-s ism with the game board. The grooves 13 and 14 are formed at an angle in said base so as to present to view the marking on the counting device.

Vithin the upper groove 13 there is slidably mounted a substantially triangular element 15 which has positioned therein and at right angles thereto a wire 16 adapted to carry upon its upper end a freely rotatable knob 17 having markings thereon, 1, 2, 3, 4 indicating the downs of the game, while on the opposite end of the wire or rod 16 there is positioned a globular member designating a football 18.

In the lower groove 14 there is slidably positioned a strip 19 which has connected thereto a plate 20, which plate corresponds tothe yard line used in a football game. This plate has indicia thereon, which for the purpose of clarity and a. better understanding of the game, as 'the description proceeds will herein be specifically set forth.

As illustrated in Figure 3, 'there are two series of numerals on the upper plate, runi ning from 1 to 9, while on the lower edge of the plate there are two series of numerals that include the designations 1,3, 5, 7, 9. Intermediate the upper and lower sets of numerals there is provided a larger set of encircled numerals with the zero indicated in the center of the plate, and the numerals 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 being placed on each side of the Zero, and

extending substantially to the ends of the plate.

Referring 'to Figure 1, the special markings, namely the varying length of lines and colored lines, between each distance of five yards will be more specifically described in order that the co-operation between these particular markingsand those enumerated on the plate may be readily understood.

It will be noted that the lines between-'each tive yard distance vary as to length, and are further distinguished by different colors. For instance, as disclosed in Figure 3, considering the marking designated bythe numerals 67, 8 and 9, i-n Athe respective five yard blocks on the right side of the drawing, the short yline 6 is colored green, the next longest line 7 is colored red, the third longest line 8 is colored black, while the longest line 9 is colored yellow. Gntheleft side of the drawing the numerals and colors are reversed.

It will be evident that in counting tive'or ten yards orV multiples thereof across the whole length of the g'ridiron, the plurality of lines of varying length and colors eliminates the necessity of a counting of yards, or an addition of numbers, as the movement from one color 'and lengthacross thefivey'ard line to the next color and length across the neXt five or ten yard line, willY allow a quick and ready check Aofthe gains'or losses of the football team during the course of the playing of the game.

It is to be noted that these specially marked lines will always be in alignment with the numerals that appear on the plate 20, irrespective of the distance over the game surface that the counting device is moved.

The numerals 21, 22, 28, 24, and 26 designate areas herein referred to respectively as Kick off, Punt, End run, Line play, Pass and Field goal, which areas are provided on the game board and are distinguished one from the other by particular lettering designating certain plays in the game to be decided by a throw of a certain pair of dice. There are six pairs of dice, and each die has a different marking thereon to distinguish it from the other die. rllwo pairs of dice are shown in Figures 6 and 7, and are designated by the numerals 27 and 28, respectively.

Each area is intended to Yhold a pai'ro-f dice when the same are not in use, and the particular area in which the respective pairs are `adapted to rest.- is marked with a letter or number corresponding to the letter or num- -ber that appears on the dice.

For instance, the area 21 has the words Kick off thereon, with the yletters K and 'R appearing vin the upper corner of the area. One pair of the six pairs. of 'dice is likewise marked, one with the letter K and ther other with the letter R. The rest of the indicia in the area 21 designates different movements in the game.

Considering now area 22, or the Punt area this area has the letters N, N shown in Vthe upper corner thereof. A second pair of dice, each of which is marked with the letter N is adaptedv to rest in the area 22. The same statement is applicable to various other areas that are designated by the respective numerals.

It will vhe noted from aconsideration of Figure 6, that the pair of dice shown therein bear onl all of the faces thereof, the letter l L and dier one from the otherin the numerals that appear on the respective faces. These numerals effect the 'total of 'yardage gained or lost in the play of the game. The

letter L in this instance is marked on the six l faces of the dice so that vrthe L dice may be readily distinguished Vfrom the other pairs of dice and the player can readily select the same when he wishes to employ the dice'in an offensive movement. forth on the L dice and likewise on the 'other dice referto the lossor gain experienced by the players ofthe game.

The rles governing lthe playing of this game should be determined by the rules-at the time governing football contests, "with the same number of points b'eingzsceredby the players in' this' miniature game as'areideterrnied in the' regular'game of football.

v playingthe "gaine, "the players' The numerals set l.

which of the goals 9 and 10 they are to defend, and then determine by any convenient means which side shall Kick off. It is assumed that the player termed Black defends goal 10, while the player termed Brown defends goal 9.

Black now selects the Kick olf dice from the area 21 and throws the same on the board. It will be assumed that the dice thrown by Black show on their uppermost faces, the markings K4*0 and R10, indicating that Black has kicked ott' forty yards, and Brown has returned the ball ten yards. The ball is now in Browns possession on his own 30 yard line. Brown places the rod 16 on the 3() yard line nearest the left hand side of the drawing and at the same time moves the plate 2O so that the zero is directly beneath the rod 16, and also act-uates the knob 19 until the numeral 1 is uppermost thereon and in alignment with the zero on the plate.

Brown elects to try one of the plays designated in the areas 21 to 26, inclusive. Browns object now is to advance the ball,

if possible, towards Blacks goal 10, and in order that Brown may continue in possession of the ball, it is necessary that he gain at least ten yards in four plays. If the ball is not' advanced ten yards in four plays, then Brown must necessarily, according to the rules governing football, surrender the play to Black and hein turn can select the plays set forth in areas 21 to 26, inclusive and endeavor to reach Browns goal 9.

Referring now to Browns attempt to advance the ball, he first elects to try an End run and throws the E, E dice on the game board. Assuming that the face of one of the dice shows the numeral 7 and the other the numeral 8, a consideration of the legends in the area 23, will show that 7 is the low number and the number of yards gained in Browns first attempt to rush the ball. The pair of dice, which are marked E, E are then returned to their proper area, and the knob is rotated to indicate second down and the football advanced to the black line marked 7 indicating that an advance of 7 yards has been made in the play.

The plate 20 remains in the same position, the numeral 7 thereon .being in alignment with the black line 7 on which the football 18 is resting.

Brown may now elect to again try an End run and selects the two dice marked E, E which rest in area 23, and throws the same on the board. If, for instance, the numerals 6, 7 appear on the dice faces, it would indicate that Brown has made an advance of six yards, as the legend in the End run area shows that the low number, namely 6, is the number of yards gained. Therefore, as a result of this second play, Brown has made an advance of over ten yards in two tries, and

men that'hold the ten yard sticks in the regu- K lar game offootball. y Brown now selects the dice from the Line play area. vAs a result of throwing the same, the numerals 3, 4 appear on th'e'uppen,

most face of the dice which indicates that a gain of three yards'has been made in the first attempt. He selects the same play, and

again throws the dice, the numerals 2, 3 ap- I who will endeavor by aV series of offensive movements to place the football over Browns goal 9, and thus secure a Touch down.

It is of course understood that there are numerous plays that can be made with this game that will be readily understood by one cognizant with the game of football, and it is thought that the description herein set forth' of the respective plays is sufficient to clearly show how the ball can be advanced or retracted and it will be obvious that the employment of the varied colored means and the different lengths will enable the players to rapidly calculate and accurately ascertain the correct yardage in a minimum amount of time.

lVith this explanation it will be apparent how the various plays in the game may be made. As is evident, the element of chance is present throughout the game. However, familiarity with the game of football and skill in selecting the proper plays to be eXecuted as governed by the situation that occurs, will often determine the winning of the game, and accordingly, .give to the more skillful player, a slight advantage.

From the foregoing description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing', it will be evident that I have devised a miniature entertaining and instructive football game that will warrant, for one of the players to prevail, considerable skill in a proper selection of plays.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes relative to the shape, size, material and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1n combination with a game board simulating a football eld and having markings Cil.

grqoyed blkwa rod' hold-ing elernelltI sldfH Y gblyfmQu-nted iiloneofthefgroves .of said b10ek,.fher0d of .said element having a counting knob on one end thereof'and;anl element f simulating@ a. footballf `onthe i oppositeA en d Siwa, or;deensiYe-moyements of the. game 1. 

